By Tom Austin-Morgan

To achieve the 2050 net zero target, travel habits must be rethought. In the UK, transport is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 34% of total emissions in 2022, predominantly from road transport.

Although the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads has risen significantly – there are currently over 1,190,000 fully electric cars on UK roads – more effort is needed. Achieving net zero requires robust local leadership from organisations well-positioned to implement relevant changes in their communities.

In 2021-22, Energy Saving Trust teamed up with the Department for Transport (DfT) to create the transport decarbonisation: local authority toolkit. This resource aids local councils in identifying and understanding actions they can take to reduce transport emissions in their areas and the potential impacts of various projects.

Energy Saving Trust developed infographics based on key messages and actions from the toolkit. These images explain the rationale for action and outline the necessary steps to develop a successful scheme.

The local authority toolkit offers guidance on planning and implementing measures to cut transport carbon emissions in England. It emphasises the benefits of various approaches but advises councils to adopt those that suit their local context and needs. The toolkit details key actions for local authorities and presents case studies of successful initiatives.

It includes nine different interventions for local authorities, such as active travel, car clubs, and demand responsive transport (DRT). There is also specific advice for rural authorities on successfully administering these approaches.

New government, new progress

Later this year, the DfT will release updated Local Transport Plan (LTP) guidance for authorities in England. LTPs are an existing statutory planning document that local transport authorities are required to produce which setting out strategies for improving transport networks, proposing projects for investment and planning how key objectives will be achieved.

In the future, it is thought LTPs will need to explain how local areas will deliver quantifiable carbon reductions in transport, considering the requirements of different areas. It is likely to align LTPs with new government priorities, including decarbonisation, and improving the delivery of local transport services.

Under the previous government, the DfT committed to publish new counsel for those compiling LTPs along with Connected Places Catapult. This will set out how local transport authorities (LTAs) and sub-national transport bodies (STBs) should approach developing a strategic plan to deliver their local needs, build capacity and to partner with businesses to support the implementation of low-carbon innovations within an area.

Erika Lewis, CEO at Connected Places Catapult, says: “The longstanding collaboration between the Department for Transport and Connected Places Catapult has already delivered a wide range of technology, innovation and research and development projects that have achieved real world impacts for people and places. I look forward to building on our work together to further progress the sector in the years to come.”

Newsletter image: cyclists in Cambridge; credit: Shutterstock.